1

I'm looking for a word to describe a computer that's not a server. I know that in some contexts the opposite may be "client", but that implies the ability to form a network connection to a server, which is not necessary in my context. It can just be a standalone computer or any computer which does not run a server operating system.

I'm also looking for the opposite to "server operating system", for example, a word to describe all Windows operating systems that do not have "Server" in their name (Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, but not Windows Server 2000, 2003, 2008) – not necessarily restricted to Windows, though.

Improve this question
9
  • 3
    My desktop machine runs a server operating system (as does my mobile phone! :-) and is a client to lots of other servers. I think you are in a world of technical confusion trying to classify what "software" is for "servers"...
    – Pavling
    Jun 22, 2011 at 9:25
  • 4
    @mplungjan - nope, Windows/Linux/Mac; all are multi-user OSs even if running standalone
    – Pavling
    Jun 22, 2011 at 10:08
  • 4
    Not everything has an antonym. E.g. What's the opposite of "vacuum cleaner"?
    – UpTheCreek
    Jun 22, 2011 at 11:42
  • 3
    @Felix - maybe that's your answer then - 'not a server'.
    – UpTheCreek
    Jun 22, 2011 at 13:08
  • 6
    @UpTheCreek: A leafblower ;)
    – Marcin
    Jun 22, 2011 at 18:34

8 Answers 8

Reset to default
7

My first suggestion would be a client. I don't agree that it necessarily implies a network connection, but I can see that it could be interpreted this way.

For the operating system I think the association to a network connection is even weaker, so I would definitely call it a "client operating system" to distinguish it from a more server-oriented OS.

Alternatively you could call the computer a "desktop computer" and the OS a "desktop operating system".

Improve this answer
2
  • 4
    I think you will find desktop more common in both cases and yes, I would say that "client" does imply a network connection, as per: "A client is an application or system that accesses a remote service on another computer system, known as a server, by way of a network."
    – Unreason
    Jun 22, 2011 at 9:17
  • And then someone will ask: "What about laptops?"
    – horatio
    Jun 22, 2011 at 20:04
15

You may consider using workstation as well.

Improve this answer
4
  • 3
    From the Services descriptions in Windows 7 - Server: Supports file, print, and named-pipe sharing over the network for this computer. Workstation: Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers using the SMB protocol. So workstation is definitely the word that Microsoft would choose to answer this question.
    – MT_Head
    Jun 22, 2011 at 9:49
  • That's actually the word that my boss uses right now and that I want to avoid, because a 'workstation' is IMHO (1) generally connected to a network, (2) Wikipedia says it's different from desktop computers, and (3) it's not widespread in non-professional (i.e. home) environments.
    – Felix Dombek
    Jun 22, 2011 at 12:05
  • If you really want to get technical, and you are already ;), the majority of modern computers are workstations. Even when there are no dangly bits sticking out the back, the network interface--which is typically built into the motherboard--is active and has a private address assigned to it, typically in the 169.x.x.x subnet. It then becomes a zen question: "Is a network with one node a network?"
    – horatio
    Jun 22, 2011 at 20:02
  • @horatio - And even if there isn't an actual physical interface, virtually all modern OSs create a virtual one for internal communication. Truly, there's no place like 127.0.0.1.
    – MT_Head
    Jun 23, 2011 at 3:41
4

Workstation used to be common. Desktop has become more common nowadays.

Improve this answer
3

So simple .. it's just "personal computer." That's it.

Improve this answer
2

You can try using "consumer" and "consumer operating system". Or as the other answers mentioned, use "desktop" and "desktop operating system".

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    The opposite to consumer OS is enterprise OS
    – George Gaál
    Aug 15, 2011 at 23:57
1

The two other types that I know of are peer-to-peer distributed and stand-alone.

A server-client setup would be a distributed setup where some nodes are more privileged than others. In a peer-to-peer distributed system, the system is still distributed, but all nodes are of equal status. If instead your system isn't distributed at all, that would be stand-alone.

Note that Microsoft solves the problem you seem to be asking about (what to call the versions of their OS that aren't meant for servers) by just not putting the word "server" on the box. That's probably the best solution in your case too.

Improve this answer
0

I would use standalone

To me workstation implies that the machine has to work with a server, as does client.

Improve this answer
2
  • Standalone implies that the machine is not connected to a network. I think the question is about a term that doesn't imply anything about the network connectivity.
    – Joachim Sauer
    Jun 22, 2011 at 11:22
  • Well, that would just be a "networked" system.
    – T.E.D.
    Aug 16, 2011 at 13:32
0

Computers that have no operating system on them are referred to as thin clients. If you use it in the context of data, one computer that is wholly dependent upon another could be called a "slave" to the "master". This is used frequently in database replication systems.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.